Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in 1 Samuel 23 and 24.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 148.
The Greek Testament reading is in Philippians 3.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
1 Samuel 24, David the Messianic Prophetic Type
Additional studies: 1 and 2 Samuel Index
The Chiastic structure, with its central axis highlighting the Rock of Escape, is confirming David as a Prophetic Type of Messiah, for even though his death seemed certain, God continually delivered David out of the hand of Saul. This is the Sign of Messiah of Resurrection Life. Also notice, as an indicator of Messiah, that David returns mercy to Saul when Saul sought David’s life. You might say, as David’s men said, that YHVH did indeed deliver Saul into David’s hand, but for the express purpose of showing him mercy instead of retribution. While the wicked and ignorant malign the nature of God, Scripture keeps revealing Him longsuffering and full of lovingkindness!
Psalm 148, Reverse Parallelism
Additional studies: Psalms Book Five (107-150) Index
In the 2B pair, the 2nd element, which forms its own chiastic structure: the A pair speaks of what and who is being praised: the name of YHVH, and the horn of His people. “Horn” in biblical usage is power, might, strength, and when Daniel saw a vision of beasts with horns, the angel told him outright that the horns he saw were kings (Dan 7:24, Dan 8:20-21). So if we let Scripture explain Scripture, we can conclude that the horn God has exalted for His people, is a king, whose praise compares to the praise of the name of YHVH. The B pair speaks of what is exalted. His name alone, and His king. If it is only His name which is exalted, then why in the next verse does it proclaim that His king is likewise exalted? This is not a biblical contradiction, as the atheists like to claim, but one way the Teaching Tools of Scripture often employs to suggest an equality between the two – that it is YHVH who is the King who has been exalted—even Messiah Yeshua! ♥
Philippians 3, The upward calling
Additional studies: Philippians Index
The elegant Greek construction, with its reciprocal language (I lay hold, He lays hold) is challenging to fully convey in English. Messiah Yeshua has laid hold of Paul for a purpose, referring back to the moment of his conversion. Paul was happily going about his life as a Hebrew of Hebrews, and a Pharisee persecuting believers, when Yeshua knocked him off his donkey on the road to Damascus (Act 9:1-19) and dramatically changed the course of his life. From that day he established and built up what he once tore down. And now Paul is pressing on to also lay hold of Messiah as Messiah has laid hold of him. ♥
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Revelation 19.
Suggested study: Revelation 19, Bible for Beginners.
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